The great straw debate!

[Kindle 8,667]

@@Kindle *grumbles about the popcorn eating* AS soon as I can eat it again... I will do so with extreme moderation - I PROMISE!!!

My sleeve is a bottomless pit when it comes to popcorn so I usually stick with those mini 100 calories bags. But I recently discovered Orville Redenbachers Garlic Butter and Sea Salt popcorn (insert drool) and they are regular sized bags. Since I could easily eat the whole thing, I start out by dumping 1/2 of it in the dog food bowl (he likes popcorn, too) so I'm not tempted to polish the entire bag off by myself.

[Dub 9,922]

Ah.....such a stellar thread.

It has started my last two mornings with grins.

Grins.....and a bit of science thrown in for good measure. And speaking of measure......good to know that big gulp straws are welcomed at #teamstraw. #wrinkleprevention.

[jane13 2,256]

@@CHM - It really was...ahem...a question for everyone to think about. I figured you would take the challenge on and answer

Which you did, perfectly!

So when I suck,

I should also blow (out the excess air)

and swallow (not spit)...

hmmm

[snickysnack78 131]

I had surgery about 11 months ago. When I first got out of surgery, I had a huge problem trying to get enough liquids in. Even though the Dr recommended to not use a straw, I figured I would try because I was desperate at the time to not go back to the hospital for dehydration. Well, the straw did the trick. I still use them now. If I don't, I don't get enough fluids in. Also, I am not able to drink out of a water bottle without it. When I drink straight from the glass or Water bottle, I either drink too much at one time or suck in too much air and it hurts.

[24601 210]

I am able to drink more fluids using a straw, so I do. Nobody ever told me not to, and it wasn't until this forum that I even knew it was a thing not to.

[LisaMergs 2,854]

Just because I could...because I'm a rebel like that

Edited June 3, 2016 by LisaMergs

[Alex Brecher 10,502]

@@RoachBug,

Every expert has his or her own opinion…gather them all and make your choice! I don’t think the issue with straws is so much that it would stretch your sleeve. I think the greater concern is that the extra air takes up space. That can be awfully uncomfortable, especially when surgery was recent and you’re already struggling to fit in all of your liquids and Protein. I’ve heard that a straw is okay if you are careful not to suck in air with the liquid.< /p>

[RoachBug 233]

@@Alex Brecher

Luckily (for me at least), the tightness while swallowing after the VGS and hiatal hernia surgery eased up considerably after the first 2-3 days. Be it by the bottle, shaker, or glass, I can pretty much drink as normal. It was a definite relief compared to immediately after surgery.

As for taking in the all the advice and knowledge available and forming your own opinion, I whole heartedly agree!

[Shaydi.Laine 237]

I'm not sure who invented the no straw rule but I suspect whoever it was, never had bariatric surgery.

I have found since day 1 that drinking through a straw makes drinking easier and helps me drink more. I have never burped up mountains of air after drinking through a straw. I have an insulated plastic mason jar cup with a lid and a big straw. I use it every night and can easily get down 32 oz of Water in the evening that way. If I just use a regular glass, I don't drink enough.

I think the no straws rule is bunk and silly and unnecessary and I plan to tell my surgeon and nut that at my next appointments. Fight the battles that make sense, leave the poor straws alone.

And just wait till they hear my thoughts on eating fat. Thank god for real butter and real mayo! (I will be elaborating on this in more detail when I share my successful stall busting stories.)

Edited June 10, 2016 by Shaydi.Laine

[Clementine Sky 708]

I'm writing this post while drinking my iced coffee through a straw. My surgeon and his team never discussed the use of a straw with me, and I only discovered that it was a debatable topic through this forum. I watched this video last August shortly before having the VSG, and it discusses the use of straws (starting at the 6:21 mark):

I've never experienced any problems with a straw, so I've continued to use them on a daily basis. If for whatever reason a person is uncomfortable using a straw, then don't.

Edited June 10, 2016 by Clementine Sky

[jessi29 12]

I use a straw. I actually get less air when I use a straw. I drink 3x the fluids with a straw. Without a straw I struggled to do 20oz a day. I'm sure both ways are acceptable.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[KeepCalm 223]

I know this thread was more about drinking with straws, but I thought I should throw this out there as it mentions caffiene(spelling).

http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/52-common-myths-and-misconceptions-debunked/

[Kissifur 244]

My after care advice from the nutritionist was no straws. I ended up in the hospital with dehydration and told my surgeon that I can only get enough Water in when I use a straw. His advice was do what keeps you alive and I have been using straws ever since.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using the BariatricPal App

Edited July 4, 2016 by Kissifur

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

BAM!